Cisco AnyConnect vs. OpenVPN Access Server Comparison


Cisco AnyConnect Cisco	OpenVPN Access Server OpenVPN	+	+
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		Related Products NordVPN We help companies keep their networks and Internet connections secure. Our VPN service adds an extra layer of protection to secure your communications. We do this by applying strong encryption to all incoming and outgoing traffic so that no third parties can access your confidential information. Protect your organization against security breaches. Secure remote team access. Simplify business network security. Access region-specific online content from anywhere in the world 1,609 Ratings Visit Website IPVanish IPVanish VPN protects your personal data in the heat of privacy threats with one touch. Keep your connection safe over hotspots and unsecured networks today. Whether you need a Wi-Fi hotspot shield, or safe file access, we have a solution for you. IPVanish VPN and storage tools simplify online security for the whole home with setups for desktop, mobile, consoles, and routers. Shield your internet activity with VPN privacy, or pair VPN + storage for complete online protection. It takes more than a private internet browser to go incognito. Keep your internet activity private with our anonymous IP addresses, and we’ll help keep network hackers, ISPs, and advertisers out of your connection. Secure your Wi-Fi connection and armor your location data with VPN. The best data defense pairs security with convenience. Safeguard access to your most important files with encrypted backup, automated syncing, and remote wiping controls. 223 Ratings Visit Website ISL Light Remote Desktop ISL Online is remote desktop and remote support software for IT teams, help desks, managed service providers (MSPs), and enterprises that need secure attended remote support and unattended remote access across distributed environments. It enables technicians to securely access, view, control, troubleshoot, and manage Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices from any location, with or without an end user present. IT teams use ISL Online for remote troubleshooting, help desk support, remote IT management, device access, file transfer, multi-monitor navigation, chat and audio/video communication, session recording and handoff, remote command execution, and persistent unattended access through ISL AlwaysOn. The unattended access agent supports mass deployment and device grouping. ISL Online also supports RDP and SSH tunneling without requiring VPN access or firewall changes, simplifying connectivity across multiple networks and locations. ISL Online offers flexible deployment options for different security, infrastructure, and data residency requirements. Organizations can use cloud remote access (SaaS), self-hosted remote desktop software for on-premises and air-gapped environments, or Managed Private Cloud for dedicated single-tenant deployment and greater data control. Premium Cloud, Self-Hosted, and Managed Private Cloud support unlimited licensed users and managed devices. Mobile apps are included at no additional cost with both Cloud and Server licenses. Security features include AES 256-bit end-to-end encryption with RSA 2048/4096-bit key exchange, two-factor authentication (2FA), single sign-on (SSO), session recording, detailed audit logs, role-based access controls, IP and MAC address restrictions, and blackout mode for sensitive environments. ISL Online is ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified and supports GDPR compliance requirements. The platform integrates with ITSM, RMM, PSA, and endpoint management tools including ServiceNow, Freshdesk, Freshservice, Microsoft Intune, Barracuda RMM, Heimdal, Autotask PSA, HaloITSM, SuperOps, PDQ Connect, and Bitrix24. A full API is available for custom workflows and integrations. ISL Online provides scalable remote support, secure remote access, centralized remote management, cross-platform remote control, and flexible deployment without complex network configuration. A free trial is available without a credit card, and the software supports 20 languages. 1,598 Ratings Visit Website ManageEngine Endpoint Central ManageEngine Endpoint Central gives IT teams a single platform to manage and secure every device across the organization, eliminating the need to juggle multiple point tools. Patch management is automated across Windows, macOS, Linux, and 1000+ third-party applications. Software deployment, OS imaging, and remote desktop capabilities allow administrators to provision, update, and troubleshoot endpoints without physical presence. Security capabilities include vulnerability assessment, application control, device control, browser security, endpoint privilege management, EDR, NGAV protection against malware and zero-day threats, and private access for secure remote connectivity. BitLocker and FileVault encryption management adds data protection across Windows and macOS fleets. Mobile device management extends control to iOS and Android, supporting corporate-owned and BYOD environments. Available on-premises or in the cloud across five editions: Free, Professional, Enterprise, UEM, and Security. 3,347 Ratings Visit Website DriveStrike DriveStrike is easy to use, implement and manage. With DriveStrike you can execute secure remote wipe, remote lock, and remote locate commands on any platform. Integrated drive encryption support as well as mobile device management MDM for mobile platforms. Our professional support team is always available to answer your questions and help you install our services or manage your account and devices. Protecting your data and devices has never been easier or more cost effective. If you have questions or need help understanding how best to protect your data please contact us and we will gladly answer your questions. Protect your business with a device and data protection platform that keeps all devices safe with a single solution and Dashboard. Keep your Workstations, MacBooks, iPads, Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops safe, secure, and organized. 25 Ratings Visit Website Proton VPN Protect your business against damaging data breaches and easily comply with security frameworks like ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA. Our software-only virtual private network easily integrates with your existing infrastructure to provide a flexible and scalable way to protect your organization. With our VPN Professional plan, you can securely access your LAN and SaaS resources by assigning and segmenting permissions to private dedicated VPN servers, allowing employees to access only what they need. With all plans, your network traffic is secured using strong AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption. You can further strengthen your organization's security with enforced 2FA and seamless login through single sign-on (SSO) with SCIM support for automated user provisioning. Proton VPN's high-speed server network is one of the largest in the world and is part of a suite of open source end-to-end encrypted products from the makers of Proton Mail that are designed to keep your business secure. 41,009 Ratings Visit Website Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security Bitdefender Small Business Security delivers enterprise-grade, layered cyber-protection designed specifically for small organizations. It covers Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices with centralized, easy-to-use management, so businesses without a dedicated IT staff can deploy and monitor security from one dashboard. Key features include multi-layered endpoint protection (machine learning, behavioral analytics, real-time monitoring, process termination, and rollback) to prevent known and unknown threats. It offers ransomware prevention and mitigation (detecting abnormal encryption attempts and restoring files from backups), fileless attack protection (memory/back-injection interference, script blocking), phishing & fraud prevention (blocking deceptive sites and warning users), and advanced exploit protection (real-time shield of browsers, Office apps, Adobe Reader) for comprehensive endpoint defense. 5 Ratings Visit Website T-Mobile for Business T-Mobile for Business provides next-level enterprise network solutions on America's Best Network* to supercharge your business. SuperMobile is the first and only business plan to elevate your critical communications with performance that intelligently adapts to your needs in real time, even in times of high demand, powered by the first-ever nationwide network slice for business. Plus, get cutting-edge privacy protections and robust encryption to keep your communications secure. SuperBroadband delivers unbreakable connectivity nationwide, with unmatched coverage reaching every ZIP code in the U.S., including remote areas where legacy networks simply can't go. Stay online through virtually all outages and manage your connection needs through one contract with managed installation and end-to-end support. For tailored industry solutions, T-Mobile for Business provides right-sized solutions tailored to your industry, enabled by the leader in 5G. T-Mobile for Business meets you where you are at, and allows you to scale and future-proof your business needs. Core Infrastructure also includes backup connectivity options including dual-network redundancy, fixed wireless failover, and resilient LTE/5G backup for uninterrupted operations. Keep your business protected with T-Mobile for Business' enterprise cybersecurity solutions, with strong encryption, secure network design, and continuous threat monitoring. T-Mobile for Business uses a Zero Trust architecture, encrypted data in transit and at rest, multi-factor authentication, and 24/7 security operations to help ensure the confidentiality and integrity of your business communications. T-Mobile Business Internet offers seamless cloud integration with existing IT infrastructure, enabling secure connectivity to public and private cloud platforms, SaaS resources, and other business applications. Businesses can use T-Mobile-supplied routers or compatible BYOD devices (with support for static IP on select models), and benefit from standard network connectivity over Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Optional features such as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) enhance cloud integration by providing advanced security for cloud-based traffic. Portal-based management and API integration are available for network and IoT environments. Best Mobile Network in the U.S. based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 2H 2025. 11 Ratings Visit Website InfoBox InfoBox is a corporate communication platform designed to reduce information overload and eliminate silos in modern organizations. Rather than relying on traditional, cluttered intranets or lost emails, InfoBox ensures every team member—from office staff to frontline and deskless workers—receives targeted, essential updates in real time. InfoBox is a targeted content delivery platform and mobile communication channel designed to improve internal communications across your entire organization and bridge the gap with frontline workers. By cutting through email clutter and replacing outdated intranets, InfoBox delivers relevant company news, announcements, and resources directly to deskbound and frontline employees via mobile apps and web apps. Key Features & Capabilities: 1. Targeted Content Delivery: Group and segment audiences by department, role, location, or organization unit so employees only receive relevant announcements. 2. Multi-Channel Visualization: Access information where work happens—via a vertical-scrolling feed in the native iOS and Android apps, the web application (`infobox.info`), or embedded directly within Google Workspace / Gmail. 3. Code-Free Content Creation: Empower non-technical publishers and HR teams to design visual, card-style updates, policy hubs, and company notices without needing IT or design expertise. 4. Frontline & External Reach: Support for multi-provider authentication (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Yahoo, or personal email accounts), enabling contractors, frontline staff, and external partners to stay informed without requiring additional domain licenses. 5. Centralized Knowledge Hub & Search: Search archived or current company resources, SOPs, FAQs, and policy documents quickly across all devices. 6. Delivery Tracking & Analytics: Monitor how users interact with published updates and track search behavior to optimize team engagement. Why Choose InfoBox? Eliminate Inbox Clutter: Replace long email chains with structured, visual announcements. Solve the information overload problem: Publish only relevant information for each employee. Unify Distributed Workforces: Bridge the operational gap between corporate management, remote teams, and field/frontline workers. *Fast Adoption & Seamless Experience: A consistent, familiar vertical feed interface ensures immediate usability across all screen sizes. 47 Ratings Visit Website Monitask Employee monitoring application for businesses of all sizes. Tracks productivity for in-office, remote, and hybrid workers. Provides analytics and data on how to improve your team. Keeps your team accountable. World-class security. Captures websites visited, unproductive time, screenshots, fake activity, and more. Features: • Time Tracking: Automatic clock in/out for accurate work hour logging • Screenshot Capture: Random or interval-based for work verification • Activity Monitoring: Tracks web and application usage • Real-time Dashboards: View ongoing projects and tasks • Stealth Mode: Discreet monitoring option Functionality: - Provides insights into work processes and productivity - Identifies inefficiencies and optimizes workflows - Maintains employee privacy while offering employer oversight Stealth Mode allows silent monitoring, capturing natural work behaviors and maintaining productivity standards. 358 Ratings Visit Website
About Secure VPN access for remote workers. Empower remote workers with frictionless, highly secure access to the enterprise network from any device, at any time, in any location while protecting the organization. If you're looking to increase protection for your remote employees so they can work from any device, at any time, from any location, get started with the Cisco Secure Remote Worker solution. Cisco can help accelerate your business success by quickly extending flexible, policy-driven access to support remote workers across wired, wireless, and VPN. Get more--with lower total cost of ownership--with multiple services beyond traditional VPN capabilities and successfully enable a more complete secure access for remote workers. Gain the visibility and control for your distributed enterprise to identify who and which devices are accessing your enterprise network.	About OpenVPN Access Server is a self-hosted Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and business VPN solution that gives organizations full control over their own secure network. It's software organizations deploy directly into their own environment — on-premises hardware or their own cloud account on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or others — with tunnel traffic flowing directly between users and the server. With Access Server Link, teams can go from zero to a fully configured deployment in minutes: point-and-click setup across AWS, Azure, and GCP, automatic SSL certificate provisioning and renewal, and a web-based admin portal for managing users, certificates, and access — no SSH or manual DNS work required. Access is granted per application and per identity using domain names rather than broad network-level access, so users only reach what they're explicitly permitted to, and lateral movement is structurally blocked.
Platforms Supported Windows Not Supported Mac Not Supported Linux Not Supported Cloud Supported On-Premises Not Supported iPhone Not Supported iPad Not Supported Android Not Supported Chromebook Not Supported	Platforms Supported Windows Supported Mac Supported Linux Supported Cloud Supported On-Premises Supported iPhone Supported iPad Supported Android Supported Chromebook Not Supported
Audience Remote workforces that need secure VPN access	Audience SMBs and Enterprises looking for a Zero Trust VPN as a foundation of their network security
Support Phone Support Not Supported 24/7 Live Support Not Supported Online Supported	Support Phone Support Not Supported 24/7 Live Support Not Supported Online Supported
API Offers API Not Supported	API Offers API Not Supported
Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos	Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos
Pricing No information available. Free Version Not Supported Free Trial Not Supported	Pricing Free Up to 2 connections Dependent on the number of connections and monthly or annually. If annual, under 100 connections, $7 per connection per month. If monthly, under 100 connections, $9 per connection per month. Over 100 connections will get lower pricing. Free Version Supported Free Trial Supported
Reviews/Ratings Overall 4.2 / 5 ease 4.2 / 5 features 4.0 / 5 design 4.5 / 5 support 4.2 / 5 Read all reviews	Reviews/Ratings Overall 5.0 / 5 ease 4.5 / 5 features 5.0 / 5 design 5.0 / 5 support 5.0 / 5 Read all reviews
Pros & Cons from Real Users Pros Simple to use. Works silently in the background. Reconnects automatically in case of network disruption. We use this for VPN at my work to access certain environments. It is very secure and so far I'm not aware of any hackers gaining access to our critical systems. I love being able to share my screen for troubleshooting or being able to share with others. It helps us all be on the same page. -Easy to use VPN software -Very secure through using authentication software VIP access on mobile -Works reliable in the background The company I used to work for, a very large company with thousands of employees around the world, had us use Cisco AnyConnect to connect to our enterprise networks whenever we were working from home or on a business trip. Our laptops would come pre-installed with the software and it seemed to integrate with the enterprise login system that we used too. Cons Errors should be more self - explanatory. Support could be faster. Connection time should be more than 12 hours (may be my organization specific policy). It is a little more complicated to use for new users but with a few tries they seem to pick it up well. I have yet to run into any cons. During covid shut down this was the best life line. -Configuration can lead to VPN becoming a internet speed bottleneck -Load balancing needs improvements Sometimes I'd have to log out / disconnect and reconnect again, and there were a few days once in a while when it just wouldn't work for a half hour or so at a time.	Pros & Cons from Real Users Pros Open Source. lots of customization options. Create your own VPN profile using free networks available on sites such as vpnbook. Also available as a service - pay as you go model. Cross Platform. The software made the process of setting up a Virtual Private Network so much easier. It has a lot of configuration options available including the use of DNS servers, user permissions and more. OpenVPN has support that will help with any issues needed. Cons Initial setup is difficult - creating profiles, installing certificate (at least on windows). It still requires a fair bit of work to actually set up the Virtual Private Network.
Training Documentation Supported Webinars Not Supported Live Online Not Supported In Person Not Supported	Training Documentation Supported Webinars Supported Live Online Supported In Person Not Supported
Company Information Cisco Founded: 1984 United States www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/anyconnect-secure-mobility-client/index.html	Company Information OpenVPN Founded: 2001 United States openvpn.net
Alternatives Cloudbrink	Alternatives Cloudbrink
Citrix Gateway Cloud Software Group	Private Internet Access (PIA) Private Internet Access
FortiClient Fortinet	NordVPN Nord Security
Check Point Mobile Access Check Point Software	UTunnel VPN and ZTNA Secubytes LLC
Verizon Secure Gateway Verizon View All	Check Point SASE Check Point Software View All
Categories VPN Supported	Categories IT Management Supported IT Security Supported IT admins & managers love Access Server - OpenVPN can help make network security and secure remote access easier — whether you have years of experience as an IT Admin or are just beginning your career. If you’re a Linux person, Access Server is for you. Access Server is an easy to deploy, cost-effective way to bolster your network security in a self-hosted environment. Network Security Supported OpenVPN’s scalable, easy-to-deploy solutions are built on our time-tested, industry standard open source protocol. With the ability to split traffic and only tunnel sensitive data, you won’t sacrifice internet performance or speed for security. With OpenVPN, you can say goodbye to your legacy VPN and traditional hardware and architecture that made it difficult to scale and grow. You’ll be able to harness next-gen VPN technology that grows with you and protects your business no matter where your team is working, whether from a tablet at their kitchen table, a laptop in a coffee shop, or a mobile phone at their desk. Proxy Servers Supported OpenVPN supports connections through an HTTP proxy, with the following authentication modes: no proxy authentication, basic proxy authentication, and NTLM proxy authentication. Secure Remote Access Supported With OpenVPN’s multi-layered solution, you can ensure that your mobile workforce is logging into corporate networks and third-party cloud services safely and securely. Minimize your attack surface & increase internet security levels - only authenticated users and compliant devices get access to authorized applications. VPN Supported OpenVPN business solutions provide secure, scalable, and flexible virtual private networking for organizations of all sizes. Built on the trusted OpenVPN protocol, they enable encrypted remote access, site-to-site connectivity, and seamless cloud integration. With centralized management, granular access controls, and support for modern authentication, businesses can protect sensitive data while ensuring employees and partners connect safely from anywhere. OpenVPN Access Server scales from small teams to enterprise deployments, offering reliability, strong encryption, and easy deployment across on-premises, cloud, or hybrid environments. Trusted worldwide, OpenVPN combines open-source transparency with enterprise-grade features. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) Supported We make ZTNA a reality for your business. Access Server and CloudConnexa® can be used to implement a zero trust network access solution that secures your network resources while limiting access to only what is necessary. Zero Trust Security Supported Transition to a Zero Trust framework with OpenVPN Access Server. Our self-hosted solution gives businesses of all sizes the ability to enforce zero trust essentials. Transition beyond protecting only what is inside of your corporate perimeter, and reduce your attack surface. With Access Server, you can protect workers using home and public WiFi networks, and SaaS applications, outside your network perimeter. We also provide all the tools and capabilities necessary for building a strong zero trust network to block or significantly mitigate attacks.
VPN Features Anonymous Browsing Not Supported DNS Leak Protection Not Supported For Digital Security Not Supported For Financial Security Not Supported For Gaming Not Supported For Streaming Not Supported Kill Switch Not Supported Multi-Language Not Supported Multi-Protocol Not Supported Peer-to-Peer Not Supported Policy Management Supported Remote Access Supported Web Inspection Supported White Label Not Supported	VPN Features Anonymous Browsing Not Supported DNS Leak Protection Not Supported For Digital Security Supported For Financial Security Supported For Gaming Supported For Streaming Supported Kill Switch Not Supported Multi-Language Not Supported Multi-Protocol Not Supported Peer-to-Peer Not Supported Policy Management Supported Remote Access Supported Web Inspection Not Supported White Label Not Supported Show More Features IT Management Features Capacity Monitoring Not Supported Compliance Management Not Supported Event Logs Not Supported Hardware Inventory Not Supported IT Budgeting Not Supported License Management Not Supported Patch Management Not Supported Remote Access Supported Scheduling Not Supported Software Inventory Not Supported User Activity Monitoring Not Supported Network Security Features Access Control Supported Analytics / Reporting Supported Compliance Reporting Not Supported Firewalls Not Supported Internet Usage Monitoring Not Supported Intrusion Detection System Not Supported Threat Response Not Supported VPN Supported Vulnerability Scanning Not Supported
Integrations Acceptto Zero Trust Identity (CIAM) Supported Censornet MFA Supported IPFire Supported RapidVPN Supported Rublon Supported Apono Not Supported CyberArk Endpoint Privilege Manager Not Supported DCXV Not Supported Google Workspace Not Supported ICS CUBE Not Supported MaxPatrol Supported Microsoft Authenticator Not Supported OneLogin Not Supported Oracle Identity Management Not Supported Oreka TR Supported SpendHound Not Supported TunnelFleet Not Supported WLVPN Not Supported ZIRO Supported Show More Integrations View All 83 Integrations	Integrations Acceptto Zero Trust Identity (CIAM) Supported Censornet MFA Supported IPFire Supported RapidVPN Supported Rublon Supported Apono Supported CyberArk Endpoint Privilege Manager Supported DCXV Supported Google Workspace Supported ICS CUBE Supported MaxPatrol Not Supported Microsoft Authenticator Supported OneLogin Supported Oracle Identity Management Supported Oreka TR Not Supported SpendHound Supported TunnelFleet Supported WLVPN Supported ZIRO Not Supported Show More Integrations View All 59 Integrations
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